TromboneAl

I distribute a number of locks around town, and here is one that will be at a coffee shop:



The chain is two feet of 3/8" chain, zinc plated. I realize that the lock is a bit of a weak link, but this is only for daytime use while I'm in ordering a cup of coffee.

My question: How can I cover the chain so that it won't scratch my bike's finish? My wife could knit a sleeve, I could use fabric, or I could get some big, thin-walled tube, for example.

Note that this will sit out in the rain.

Ideas?

Thanks,

Al

fietsbob

Old inner tubes, MTB type, , I tape and zip tie the cut ends of the tube to the chain..

my Abus chain lock came with a nylon cordura hose like sleeve, but it was Red,
and promptly showed grease, from chain contact, and so I deployed an old inner-tube..


Places that you leave the locks know your scheme, so wont clear the rack of your left behind chain?

Campus security may do that in the summer, on College Racks, grinder disc cut off old locks
and Auction off abandoned bikes..

Retro Grouch 

fietsbob beat me to it but that's a traditional use for old inner tubes.

TromboneAl

Inner tube. Perfect, thanks!

So far, no one has done that. I see the cost/benefit ratio as too high. That is, they need to spend a good amount of effort to cut the lock, and there's very little benefit to them. Why do they care if there's a lock on the rack (neatness)? Maybe there is a reason I haven't thought of.

On one of my U-locks I wrote my phone number.

fietsbob

the expenditure is a Battery powered saw with a carbide disc..


A State College like Humboldt up North, its no big expenditure ,
in the larger View of the Costs of running a Uni.
and the Taxpayers & Tuition and Grounds fees are the funding source..
A job done by paid employee.

a good plan overall..

TromboneAl

Here it is with the cover (got a big tube at a garage sale for $1). Thanks for the idea.

Nightshade

Hell, for the damage it will save to the bike I'd spring for a NEW cheap chinese tube!!!

TromboneAl

And here it is in place for my next ride to the coffee shop. It's at an empty lot -- I don't think anyone will try to remove it.

fietsbob

Often surprised why the Obvious does not occur to people ,

so they post a question Here and the list just says the Obvious .

Bikeforumuser0017

I heard scratches, dings, and dents add character to a bike. =)

J.C. Koto

They make it go faster.

kenji666

Not to be Debby Downer here, but how long will it take for the elements (sun, rain) to deteriorate the rubber inner tube?

TromboneAl

The padlock will rust out way before that happens.

wahoonc

Quite a while... I put a chain and lock with an inner tube cover on it at a place I used to work. I left the key with the receptionist as a backup. Took a job somewhere else, 3 years later the lock was still there with the inner tube still on it.

Aaron

pdlamb

Took about 3.5 years for the vinyl cover on my armored cable lock to start splitting. I keep meaning to ask the bike shop for a slightly used MTB tube.

addictedhealer

Here is what I did...



Nylon sleeve made for hydraulic hoses. Get at most equipment stores and hydraulic shops.

TromboneAl

I'd moved the lock to some pipes right near the coffee shop (the one by the bike, here):



But today it was gone. A contractor had worked on those pipes, and instead of putting the lock back on, or giving it to the coffee shop owner to put behind the counter, he just left it on the ground next to the pipes (The owner called the contractor to find out what he'd done with it). Of course, someone took it.

No big deal, and I can't expect any more, but it would be nice if he'd given it some thought.

That lock was overkill for that situation, so I'll replace it with a thinner cable and combination lock.

fietsbob

Old inner tubes .. Duh ..

Clawed

I always feel very confident when I respond with the obvious. That's why you always get several people stating the obvious.

walrus1

I'm guessing bike theft isn't a huge problem in your area TromboneAl?

Retro Grouch 

Think about the cost, then ask yourself why it matters.